The city of Chattanooga says farewell to local legend Frank Newson

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – A little more than 50 years ago, six men made history becoming the first African-American group to join the City of Chattanooga Police Department.

And Wednesday morning one of those men, Napoleon "Donut" Williams, said goodbye to another, Frank Newson, who passed away at the age of 78. "He was a trooper," said Williams, "He loved his city, and the people in this city. He made a difference, and he’s gone be missed."

Williams met Newson at the young age of just 14-years-old, and said he had no idea they would later join the force together, becoming life long friends.

"We all went to the same high school," said Williams, "My kids and his kids was raised up together, they went and played together and stuff. It made our jobs much easier because we stayed, you know, we worked all the time."

Williams and Newson worked countless hours together side by side investigating major crimes, and Williams Napoleon said they never left a case left unsolved, "When we retired we didn’t have no cases lingering, we put everybody in jail."

Family and friends in the community describe Newson as a legend. John P. Franklin Funeral Home is handling the memorial services.